Hey Birders,
I had a chance to lead a fieldtrip for my zoology students to study
birds. We visited Cobb
River WPA and Perch Lake which has low water and good shorebird
habitat. I found several new species for the year in spite of the cold
temperatures.
First of Years: Great
Egret, Wilson's Phalarope, Solitary Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper,
Semipalmated Plover, Ross' Goose (on Perch Lake with two Canadas!),
Clay-colored Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow, Marsh Wren, Sedge Wren.
Other highlights:
There were at least two Peregrine Falcons hunting around the WPA. One
bird was along the dead end road and pursued a Mourning Dove to the west.
Another bird
was seen shortly thereafter at the farmstead on the south side of Perch
Lake with a full crop.
A pair of Chimney Swifts joined 5 swallow species zooming low over the
grassland. It may have
been the first time I have ever seen a Chimney Swift below eye level at close
range!
A pair of Trumpeter Swans was on Perch Lake along with Ruddy Ducks, American
White Pelicans, and Double-crested
Cormorants. There were also 27 Lesser Yellowlegs, single Greater Yellowlegs,
Solitary Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and Wilson's Phalarope joined
by a flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers and a few Pectoral Sandpipers
all on the south end of Perch Lake.
Other birds: White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow,
White-throated Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned
Warbler, Sora, Forster's Tern, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler,
Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Bald Eagle, Eastern Bluebird, Pied-billed Grebe,
American Coot, American Kestrel, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Swamp Sparrow
Happy birding!
Chad Heins
Mankato, MN
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